The Miss South Pacific Pageant was established by the Government of Samoa as a regional event to recognise and promote the attributes, intelligence, talents, cultures and traditions of young Pacific Island women.

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The Miss South Pacific Pageant was established by the Government of Samoa as a regional event to recognise and promote the attributes, intelligence, talents, cultures and traditions of young Pacific Island women.

At a meeting of the Board of the Miss South Pacific Pageant in American Samoa yesterday, Solomon Islands was awarded the right to host the event ahead of Tonga.

The Chairman of the 2012 Solbrew Miss Solomon Islands Beauty and Charity Pageant, Tony Koraua, said the bidding delegation “was extremely thrilled to have been awarded the bid.”

“This once again gives Solomon Islands another opportunity to host another important regional social event.

“Our winning today (yesterday) is the end result of the support we have received from both the Solomon Islands Government, particularly the Prime Minister who had informed the Miss South Pacific Pageant Board of the Government’s endorsement of the bid,” Mr. Koraua said.

He said that the pageant would give Solomon Islands a lot of publicity and exposure.

“This is good for our country’s regional and international profile on the back of the successful hosting of the 11th Festival and the recent Royal visit to Solomon Islands.”

The Solomon Islands bidding team consists of the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Moses Tepai, Mr. Tony Koraua, Stella Lucas of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, the Miss South Pacific Pageant Board, Doreen Kuper and Miss Linda Keyaumi representing women in Solomon Islands.

“Ole vi’iga ile Atua… to God be the glory” were the first words uttered by Miss Samoa, Janine Tuivaiti a few minutes after she was crowned Miss South Pacific 2012-2013, Saturday evening at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium.

Miss Samoa was crowned by outgoing Miss South Pacific, Alisi Rabukawaga of Fiji.

Major sponsor of the event was McDonald’s American Samoa.

Gov. Togiola Tulafono and Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Chairman of the Miss South Pacific Committee, Fonotoe Nu’ufesili Pereira Lauofo each gave briefs remarks at the beginning of the pageant, with the opening prayer offered by Reverend Fouvale Asiata of the Matu’u and Faganeanea CCCAS.

The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was Fagafaga Danny Langkilde and his co-host was Sherry Sele of Bluesky.

Togiola noted that this would be the third time the Miss South Pacific Pageant (MSPP) has been held in the territory during his tenure, and one of the best things about the Miss South Pacific is that “who ever wins, she represents all of us, not just the country where she comes from.”

Fonotoe said the MSPP was established 25 years ago in Samoa by a group of tourism leaders, with the “vision of an event to promote the unique attributes and talents of a Pacific island lady, and also promote the Pacific islands and their cultures as tourist destinations of much heritage and natural beauty.”

He commended the Miss South Pacific 10 contestants, committees, tourism offices across the Pacific, and the major sponsors of the event, as well as thanking the outgoing Miss South Pacific for being an excellent ambassador of the Pacific.

He also acknowledged that the pageant was webcast live on the internet and this is “an opportunity to showcase American Samoa… with an ancient Polynesian culture, pristine natural environment and a proud people.”

The new Miss South Pacific, in tears, told the media that she’s honored and privileged to be the ambassador of the South Pacific. “If this is God’s will, then it is — and if it’s meant to be…. it’s meant to be. I knew I was a winner from the beginning just like all the other nine contestants, because they are ambassadors of their own countries,” she said. “Not every girl can say they participated in the Pacific Pageant, so it was quite an experience and a wonderful time to have spent with the contestants, something I will cherish for all time.”

Miss Tuivaiti, 20, is pursuing a Bachelor conjoint Law and Arts degree at Auckland University with the goal to become a judge. She is also very passionate about music and playing Samoan cricket and volleyball.

PAGEANT

The categories which determined the winner included pre-pageant interviews, sarong, talent, traditional wear and the interview question. However, the interview question was not included in the final because of problems during this segment of the MSPP, and only three categories during the pageant were used.

No special award was given for the pre-pageant interview.

Miss Samoa won Best Talent, Best Traditional Wear, whileBest Sarong went to Miss Papua New Guinea Ruby-Anne Laufa.

In other special awards, Miss Internet went to Miss American Samoa; Miss Personality to Miss Hawaiian Islands; Miss Photogenic to Miss Samoa; and National Tourism Award to Miss Papua New Guinea.

Each special award came with $250 cash prize and all of the cash prizes were provided by McDonald’s American Samoa, with restaurants in the territory and Samoa.

The four runner-ups and the winner of the MSPP received major cash awards, which were handed out by Tautolo Aogaleatu Charlie Tautolo, president and owner of the McDonald’s franchise. The new Miss South Pacific received a $2,500 cash prize.

Other standings are:

Miss Cook Islands Kate Ngatokorua —first runner up

Miss Fij, Drue Slatter — second runner up

Miss Papua New Guinea, Ruby-Anne Laufa — third runner up

Miss American Samoa, Arielle Maloata — as fourth runner

Her Best Talent was displayed in song and speech.

In speech, Miss Samoa said that the Pacific’s most uniting treasure is its people praying — no matter what language or form it is in. “For where one’s treasure is, there also will one’s heart be — and prayer requires more of the heart, for prayer is not asking, it’s a longing of the soul.” Miss Samoa noted that her soul’s longing…. her heart… is for her people and her prayer for the Pacific.

Miss American Samoa and Miss Samoa chose to sing the same song “The Prayer” made famous by Celine Dion, with Miss Samoa singing the last part of her song in Italian.

Miss Samoa’s Best Traditional Wear costume was an interwoven black, brown and red dyed sennet, with the base of the attire made from the bark of the mulberry tree and gauze-like fabric from the coconut tree, which she explained was the traditional material used throughout Samoa’s history reflecting the resilience of the Pacific woman. Her accessories, arm band, necklace, and headpiece were aptly designed with fabric from the tree of life, the coconut tree, Miss Tuivaiti said.

Taupou Manaia dancers gave the opening and closing performances, choreographed with contestants as participants. There were also songs performed during the pageant by local entertainers Mel Lavata’i and Elijah Tavai.

Samoa News congratulates the new Miss South Pacific and all the lovely contestants.

Held in American Samoa over the weekend (9 December 2012), Tuivaiti won best traditional wear, best talent and Miss Photogenic.

The first runner up was Miss Cook Islands Kate Ngatokorua.

Miss American Samoa was fourth runner up and topped online voting to win Miss Internet, Miss Papua New Guinea Ruby Anne Laufa placed third runner up and Miss Fiji Drue Slatter finished as second runner up.

A week of activities were scheduled for the contestants. All attended a press conference and tour of the Tauese PF Sunia Ocean Centre, had radio interviews with local stations and they also visited the Hope House where they presented gifts to the residents.

Contestants were also treated to a formal dinner hosted by the governor of American Samoa and attended a church service in the village of Malaeola, home of reigning Miss American Samoa, Arielle Maloata.

Solomon Islands have won the bid to host the Miss South Pacific Pageant next year.

American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau executive director David Vaeafe has responded to complaints that there will be no general admission or general seating for the 2012 McDonald’s Miss South Pacific pageant Saturday night when the new beauty queen is crowned at the Governor H.Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei.

There have been several complaints that the host committee has only corporate table seating, which is an issue that was first pointed out in a Samoa News story more than four weeks ago. In that story, Samoa News quoted Vaeafe saying that there will be no general admission, and at that time there were only a few corporate tables left.

“It was always — from the beginning — corporate table seating only, because this is a different and special event for the sponsors and everyone involved,” Vaeafe told Samoa News yesterday and reiterated that this was always the plan from the outset.

He also said that there are now inquiries for more corporate tables, but “there aren’t any left… it’s all sold out.”

Vaeafe had told Samoa News towards the end of October that pageant night will be all corporate tables — a total of 50 tables, each at $750 and corporate sponsorship comes with a three-course meal.

Meanwhile, Vaeafe said things are going well for the local organizing committee, with all the contestants on island along with the reigning Miss South Pacific. “Things are great” he said, as the contestants participated yesterday in Day One of the weeklong activities.

One of yesterday’s activities was a news conference at Sadie’s by the Sea, where three main questions were asked for each contestant to answer, including the reigning Miss South Pacific.

In tomorrow’s edition, are the contestant’s responses to a Fiji women’s rights group, who claim that the Miss South Pacific pageant is outdated and promotes a concept of beauty into which Pacific women often don’t fit.

Asked whether he knows if KVZK-TV is broadcasting live Saturday evening, Vaeafe said it will be taped delayed, to air the following day.

However, Office of Public Information (KVZK-TV) director Paolo Sivia Jr., told Samoa News that he received a call yesterday from Vaeafe about television coverage of the pageant and the two are scheduled to meet today for a discussion.

Some residents have voiced to Samoa News their disappointment with current conditions of roads in the territory, saying that they should have been given a temporary fix prior to the arrival of the contestants and other visitors for the pageant.

One caller yesterday urged the government to put a temporary fix on the road to LBJ Medical Center, which will be traveled by the contestants as they visit the Pediatric Ward for a gift presentation there this week.

American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau executive director David Vaeafe disagrees with criticism by a Fiji women’s rights group of the Miss South Pacific pageant.

The group’s Edwina Kotoisuva had said the annual pageant is outdated and promotes a concept of beauty which Pacific women often don’t fit into.

But Mr Vaeafe, who is the Territory’s member on the Miss South Pacific board of directors, says the pageant since its inception has always been about promoting the identity of the Pacific woman, and culture of the Pacific.

He says the regional pageant was never modelled towards other international beauty contests such as Miss World or Miss Universe.

He says the pageant’s stand has always been about celebrating young Pacific women, and Pacific culture and that focus continues today.

American Samoa is the host country for this year’s pageant, which opens today with a week long of activities.

Today’s activities includes a briefing for the contestants followed by a press conference.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has announced that the national government is now working on a bid to host the Miss South Pacific Beauty Pegaent for 2013.

Speaking to over a hundred guests during the Solbrew Solomon Islands Beaty Pegant over the weekend, the Prime Minister announced that his government had formally sanctioned a committee to submit the country’s bid to host the annual event here in Honiara for next year’s show.

Mr. Lilo said through such event, he also recognizes that it can be a genuine avenue to promote the role of women in the country.

He stressed that this year’s pageant show has truly proven its success and its goals thus, produced a successful story for the country.

He further stressed that the early success story has augurs well with other events the Solomon Islands has hosted this year with the likes of the recent Oceania Football Confederation tournament, the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts, the 75th Aniversary of the Guadalcanal battle and the visit of the Royal couple of Cambridge.

Prime Minister Lilo said all participants of such event like the Beauty Pageant show to the country what women can do to build a strong society, to fight against violence against women and to eradicate all forms of discriminations against women.

He highlighted that this year’s 2012 Solbrew Solomon Islands Beauty and Charity Pageant resonates well with the Solomon Islands election to the Executive Board of United Nations Women and puts the responsibility on the government and all stakeholders for the nation to take appropriate responsibility to report on its obligations, complying with the UN Convention in Eliminating all forms of Discrimination against women.

“Given the fact that this year we have successfully hosted a number of regional and international events and our very own 2012 Solbrew Solomon Islands Beauty and Charity Pageant, I’m sure that will all agree with that we must put our support hehind our bid to host the Miss South Pacific Pageant 2013,” Mr. Lilo highlighted.

However, he urged that those who have been tasked to deliver Solomon Islands bid must ensure that it receives the highest respect and recognition.

“You must showcase Solomon Islands, its unique cultures and people and also ensure that they are convinced that Solomon Islands is going to host a successful 2013 Miss South Pacific Pageant,” the Prime Minister added.

Meanwhile, the government’s move was welcomed by many but suggested that if Solomon Islands is to host the Miss South Pacific Beauty Pageant show in 2013, organizers must ensure that the small errors experienced during the weekend’s event does not happen especially in a higher scaled event.

One of the Judges in the Pageant show also stressed to this paper after the event that timing is an issue in which future organizers must highly consider when hosting the Pageant show in a regional level.

“There is need to let loose of this so-called Solomon time attitude because if not considered, we might end up crowning the 2013 Miss South Pacific at 12am like we did over the weekend,” the Judge stressed.